Question: FBN Or tiger salamander?

Elliriyanna

Elliriyanna

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I have a 20 long i really want to use for an amphibian... i am leaning towards the FBN , either way i would be ordering online as i would like captive bred ...

i just have a few question
* do they need a vet?
* can i use organic potting soil as underwater substrate in the newt tank?
* i currently only have a 20 long reptile cage has anyone ever put water in this? ( with the fbn's i would have to fill it half full)
* can i feed frozen variety packs to the FBN?

btw i am looking at the chinese fbn

btw i have read both caresheets and several threads about each on this site :)
 
You won't find captive bred tiger salamanders in the US, and unless you find a reliable breeder, most Chinese FBNs are also wild-caught.

It's really up to you: tigers are fully terrestrial, while adult FBNs are fully aquatic.

You should always have a good vet on hand.

Unless you plan on setting up a walstad type tank for the FBN, skip potting soil. It will just make a mess. You can use a variety of other substrates

You cannot convert reptile cages to aquariums. The glass is too thin to support the weight of the water. It will burst, and you'll be left with a huge mess and probably dead animals.
 
i know about the thin glass but i contacted the company because some are fine as long as you do not fill them past a certain depth ... i will probably sell this and try to buy another 20 long

also for the potting soil its easier on their skin

i was more asking from experienced owners which they prefer ...

i may get a 10 gallon... not sure i would prefer a 20
 
Potting soil, even organic, often contains fertilizers and compost, not to mention vermiculite/perlite. It's not suitable for amphibians. You can get organic topsoil, which is just dirt, not any of the added amendments.

Again, it's a matter of preference. Would you rather have an aquatic setup or a terrestrial one? There are benefits and downsides to each. Personally, I prefer terrestrial setups for ease of maintenance. But then, I never see my tigers unless I dig them up.
 
oh i certainly dont want to risk their health

i want something i can watch ... i have a 5 gallon and will be setting up another ... so cycling a 10 gallon shouldnt be an issue

what substrate should i use? i am going to be planting this tank :)
 
Most people use sand. But if you're going to heavily plant, try the walstad method. She recommends a few brands, but I'm wary of everything. I use Earth-Gro organic topsoil, and have for years with no ill effect.
 
are there any other amphibians you recommend to beginners? the only thing in my local pet store is firebelly toads but i can always look around and check craigslist
 
There are always axolotls. They're almost bulletproof.

Clawed frogs are pretty simple, too.
 
i do like axolotl's ... but i can never find any ... and ACF are awesome but i am setting up an ADF tank

btw i dont think i can find a vet in my area it was almost impossible to even find a small animal vet :( does this mean i should not adopt anything?
 
hi i run a walstad tank and its absolutely great my fire bellies love it, they are much easier to keep then high tech tanks and you will fall in love with maintaining your aquarium too, if you want to consider walstad let me know and i will tell you more about it
 
to be honest fire bellies don't cost enough to warrant going to a vet would you take a mouse to a vet? i got mine for less then 3 british pounds each
 
There are ALWAYS axolotls for sale here, as long as you don't live in a state where they're banned.

Vets usually aren't well-versed in amphibians anyway. Most people can get by without one, but if you have one handy, it's a nice luxury.
 
i dont think they are banned ... better check state laws

actually i have taken hamsters to the vet as well as my rats ... just because the animal didnt cost much to acquire that doesnt make their health any less important in my opinion
 
your right there sorry, but most vets don't know much about amphibians like kaysie said, when one of my newt got bloat i tried to find answers for 4 days until the little fella died sad thing that night i actually found one way to cure it, if something goes wrong though just consult this forum there are so many people on here who are experts, not me though i know next to jack
 
What state are you in?
 
i am in ohio ... i know i saw them a while back in a petstore in kentucky in these teeny critter keepers :(
 
You've got lots of options in Ohio! There are tons of native species that are really awesome there.
 
i love a lot of our native species red back salamanders, lizards ( only in my old neighborhood ... closest species i could find were european wall lizards) box turtles, res, painted turtles .... i know all but the salamanders are reptiles but still lol


also i found out today my old rat is ok to have surgery so that delays the tank a bit but i am so happy :D
 
As far as fun creatures to watch...I've found that the fire bellies are fun ... consider cynops cyanurus or cynops ensic. popei. These two particular firebelly newts are more heat tolerant. My tank has fine beach sand that I washed over a dozen times in a pail with a hose. It looks quite lovely. Live plants are good if you have some light.
 
i am leaning toward an axolotl but we will see ... for now i have decided to focus on moving and then my ADF tank

i know this is off topic but can i share my ADF tank here when its done?
 
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